More than 2 million Americans have aphasia, and that number is growing annually. Every year, clinicians and researchers gather to present new findings in aphasia and other neurologic language disorders at the Clinical Aphasiology Conference (CAC).

For more than a decade, we’ve been publishing highlights of this conference to help bring this work to even more clinicians around the country. The latest Special Issue of the American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology (AJSLP), edited by Michael de Riesthal, does just that.

Select Papers From the 53rd CAC

A number of articles in this Special Issue deal with the psychological and emotional aspects of aphasia—such as frustration, depression, and anxiety—and how you can help address these aspects during sessions. People with aphasia also have social needs, and these authors emphasize the importance of social relationships, including participating in conversation groups and using digital technology.

Technology is a hot topic in the Special Issue, with themes that include using large language models to assess story retelling and offering treatment via telepractice. These articles highlight how new developments can help you care for people with aphasia.

Finally, a few articles deal with issues of culture, including increasing diversity in aphasia research participants and making religious texts more aphasia-friendly.

More Than a Decade of Collaboration!

This Special Issue marks the 13th such collaboration between ASHA Journals and the CAC. Check out some of our previous issues below! We look forward to continue highlighting the latest clinically relevant research on various topics that span the sciences.

We’d like to thank Dr. de Riesthal for his continued commitment to AJSLP and to the ASHA Journals. You can read this Special Issue in AJSLP or explore the individual articles listed at the end of this post!

Previous Coverage of the CAC

Highlights From the 52nd Clinical Aphasiology Conference

Clinical Aphasia Resources: Highlights From the 51st Clinical Aphasiology Conference

Highlights From the 50th Clinical Aphasiology Conference

The Latest on Clinical Aphasiology in AJSLP

Explore the Special Issue

Blackett, D. S., Grubaugh, A. L., Sydlowski, D., Acierno, R., Hunting Pompon, R., Woodbury, M. L., Kautz, S. A., Wilmskoetter, J., & McTeague, L. M. (2025). Feasibility and preliminary outcomes of speech-language pathologist–administered behavioral activation: A psychosocial intervention for people with aphasia. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 34(6S), 3717–3735. https://doi.org/10.1044/2025_AJSLP-24-00422

Boucard, S., Bracken, J., Harris, T., Kravetz, C., Gadson, D. S., Salter-Volz, A., Wallace, S. E., Dickey, M. W., Hula, W. D., & Evans, W. S. (2025). Increasing representation of Black stroke survivors in aphasia research: A community outreach pilot. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 34(6S), 3778–3788. https://doi.org/10.1044/2025_AJSLP-24-00403

Dahl, A., & Bailey, D. J. (2025). Making religious texts more aphasia-friendly: Recommendations from a case study of members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 34(6S), 3763–3777. https://doi.org/10.1044/2025_AJSLP-24-00428

Kidd, A. H., & Azios, J. H. (2025). Managing breakdowns during aphasia conversation groups. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 34(6S), 3574–3592. https://doi.org/10.1044/2025_AJSLP-24-00384

Kurland, J., Varadharaju, V., Liu, A., Stokes, P., Gupta, A., Hudspeth, M., & O’Connor, B. (2025). Large language models’ ability to assess main concepts in story retelling: A proof-of-concept comparison of human versus machine ratings. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 34(6S), 3636–3646. https://doi.org/10.1044/2025_AJSLP-24-00400

Madden, E. B., Bush, E. J., Obermeyer, J., & Willette, J. (2025). Reading and writing rehabilitation with individuals with aphasia: A survey of speech-language pathologists’ clinical practice and perspectives. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 34(6S), 3703–3716. https://doi.org/10.1044/2025_AJSLP-24-00418

McMahon, M., Azios, J. H., Archer, B., Douglas, N. F., Strong, K., Simmons-Mackie, N., & Worrall, L. (2025). Using digital technology to stay connected with friends after aphasia. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 34(6S), 3593–3610. https://doi.org/10.1044/2025_AJSLP-24-00395

Nunn, K., Brancamp, T., Evans, W. S., Hambridge, T., Harmon, T. G., Wallace, S. E., Biel, M., & Hula, W. D. (2025). The Basic Psychological Needs Satisfaction and Frustration Scale: Initial validity evidence in aphasia. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 34(6S), 3667–3684. https://doi.org/10.1044/2025_AJSLP-24-00404

Obermeyer, J., Leaman, M. C., & Oleson, J. J. (2025). Feasibility and preliminary data for a training protocol and perceptual rating scale of linguistic conversation measures in aphasia. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 34(6S), 3789–3800. https://doi.org/10.1044/2025_AJSLP-24-00420

Park, H., Wallace, S. E., Burklow, E., & Ward, E. L. (2025). The feasibility of modified multimodal communication treatment with discourse via telepractice for people with aphasia. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 34(6S), 3736–3762. https://doi.org/10.1044/2025_AJSLP-24-00424

Riley, E. A., Rembrandt, H., Fortin, J., & Voleti, R. (2025). Maximizing generalization of combined treatment for mild aphasia and apraxia: Evidence from three case studies. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 34(6S), 3647–3666. https://doi.org/10.1044/2025_AJSLP-24-00401

Sather, T. W., Zorn, C. R., & Andersen, G. (2025). Mapping primary progressive aphasia best practices to a person-centered video biopic. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 34(6S), 3685–3702. https://doi.org/10.1044/2025_AJSLP-24-00406

Sung, J. E., Shin, J., Scimeca, M., Li, R., & Kiran, S. (2025). Cross-linguistic and multicultural effects on animal fluency performance in persons with aphasia. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 34(6S), 3611–3621. https://doi.org/10.1044/2025_AJSLP-24-00398

Yoo, Y. R., Lim, Y., Paek, E. J., & Sung, J. E. (2025). Aging-related changes in switching and cluster diversity in the action verbal fluency task using hierarchical clustering analysis. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 34(6S), 3622–3635. https://doi.org/10.1044/2025_AJSLP-24-00399